Sparda (DmC)

Sparda is a major supporting character in DmC: Devil May Cry. Although he has been captured long before the events of the game, his decision to wed an angel is a driving force behind many of the character's motives, from those who once knew him to those he left behind.

Appearance
Sparda is seen in-game through a lone portrait, in the photograph resembling a man of regality and sophistication. In the photograph he is attired in a red frock coat with a pauldron on the left shoulder, and a strap running across his chest from right to left. His hair is dark gray, with a strip of silver in his bangs. The portrait is torn over Sparda's face, so no features are known, other than that he is a caucasian.

Sparda is also seen with Rebellion, and stands next to a shield bearing the crest tattooed on Dante's back.

In a family photo of Dante's, Sparda is seen wearing a simple white shirt, again with his face obscured but this time due to a crack in the portrait's glass.

History
As with Sparda in the first series, this incarnation of the Dark Knight is an ever-present source of mystery to other characters. It is known that he is a powerful demon, who once worked alongside Mundus as his right-hand man and most trusted lieutenant during the former's rise to power over 9,000 years prior to the events of DmC: Devil May Cry.

During that time, Sparda fell in love with an angel, who subsequently birthed twin sons, Dante and Vergil. Sparda lived happily with his family for some years until they were found by demons. Eva was killed by Mundus while Sparda took Dante and Vergil away from their home and to safety. Sparda erased most of his sons' memories to protect them.

Seen as an act of betrayal to the demonic cause, Sparda was counted as a traitor, and was condemned to endure eternal punishment and pain.

Powers and Abilities
The extent of Sparda's power is unknown, though he presumably possessed all of his sons' demonic powers, possibly to a greater extent given his demonic purity and advanced experience. He was known to the demons as a swordsman and a warrior.

It is possible (And very likely) that this Sparda is much weaker in comparison to the original, as he was defeated and imprisoned forever by Mundus, whereas the original Sparda defeated the original mundus single-handedly.

Background
Sparda appears to be based on the archangel St. Michael, who is the prince of angels and the leader of God's armies. St. Michael is also the arch-nemesis of Satan (similar to how Sparda shares a deep rivalry with Mundus) and in the Book of Revelations, St. Michael was the angel who fought against and defeated Satan in combat.